Collectorofcats

Without knowing what kinds of stories you like, it hard to decide to what to recommend. For a hilarious read anything by Carl Haaison is good. 2 weeks ago

I was trying to hide some posts from prying eyes. I believe my daughter found out I was writing about her so I made up another account with the intent of deleting this one. I kept it for a few months. I didn’t want to delete my account and lose all my entries, especially the ones that I would like to print out someday from certain goals. I finally decided to delete the other account when I found myself listing the same goals on both accounts and cheering myself. Of course, when I deleted the 2nd account, the cheers went with it. 2 weeks ago

.....I used the word abrade to refer to the scraping of the wound. I was quickly corrected and told the word was debride.

de·bride·ment (dbrd-mä, d-brdmnt)
n.
Surgical excision of dead, devitalized, or contaminated tissue and removal of foreign matter from a wound. 2 weeks ago

I am here at the hospital and had my first lesson in wound packing a few minutes ago. I think I need some work on my technique. According to the good doctor, the gauze needs to be packed in there good. She admitted my husband was her first wound packing patient she has ever had but as she’s been the one packing his wound nearly everyday for the last 3 weeks she has become quite an export. My husband’s surgeon will be doing the packing tomorrow morning as Dr. Clapper will be on vacation. 2 weeks ago

The microwave worked fine for at least another couple years. Yes, they were metal. 2 weeks ago

burning rubber
scorched hair
rubbing alcohol
rotting flesh
vomit

Name 5 popular all girl rock bands.
= 2 weeks ago

Today is my first day of my vacation. I drove up to see George after work Wednesday and his room was empty. For a moment, I was worried they had moved him across town again back to the Landmark Hospital but he was only transferred to the 8th floor which was a step down from the Progressive Care ward while still being in the oncology wing. Although it was higher up, the view was even better here. George boast that he was able to wipe his own butt for the first time in weeks and that was why they moved him.
I’m finally beginning to understand the hierarchy of medical care, at least at this hospital. Other then the physicians, the staffing for each area is thus: ICU…..One nurse per two patients, Progressive care unit(although not available everywhere): one nurse per three patients, Regular unit: one nurse per 6 patients with nurse techs seeing to all the grunt needs. I still don’t know how many patients are assigned to each nurse tech (formerly AKA nursing attendants or nurse’s aides). I also learned why the fiasco occurred that spawned the move to the Landmark Hospital. First, it was a monetary decision and a poor one at that. I’m sure my health insurance was pushing for my husband to be moved out of the ICU and into this acute long care facility with it’s cut rate care. Apparently, the hospital is in the process of trying to get staff trained in deep wound care and offered to take my husband assuring his doctors they had the staff ready and equipped to do it which turned out they didn’t. I guess sending a nurse over to observe the process of packing his wound once was all the training they thought they needed. NOT! I noticed the social worker has not tried to contact me or seen my husband since his move back to the MU hospital last weekend. Maybe she is playing dead as I think she was part of the equation in his being placed there at all. Except that he is still on IV pain medication, I am told George will stay where he is until either we can arrange a healthcare nurse to come to our home or I can do the wound packing myself. At this point, I’ve watched the wound packing 3 times and was asked if I felt confident enough to do it myself. I plan to try so George can come home as soon as possible.
George was glad to see me especially the sweet cherries I brought. He noticed first thing that the bag was only half full and I admitted I gave half to our granddaughter who helped me buy them. I got there later then I planned after work and planned to have supper with him and then drive home. His bandages were all soaked (probably from all the activity of the day and the move) and we called for a nurse. This is where the nursing hierarchy begins. The nurse tech who appeared can help him to the commode or get him a pillow but cant even look at his wound dressing. She called the RN to come. She went about changing the outer dressing but was worried about the color of the seepage and called the doctor on call. He decided to change George’s packing and started pulling it out. About halfway through, he realized George would need his pain medication for this purpose and the packing gauze and soaking solution called Dacon (a type of chlorine bleach just for this purpose). Even in a huge hospital with state of the art everything, there is still a waiting line for the pharmacy so it took nearly an hour and a half before his wound could be redone. I watched carefully and managed to ask the doctor questions which was a good thing. Yes the packing should be stuffed it and not done loosely. As the Dacon dries (as it should), it abrades the outer surface of the wound of the waste material and promotes healing as new tissue emerges. Eventually the would will be small enough not to pack and will be sewn shut. This is weeks if not months away. Although the doctor on call said it was huge he honestly had seen one larger which he looked after.
It was getting really late by the time this was over nearly 10 PM. I chose to stay the night and leave in the morning for work. I had brought a spare set of clothing just in case and my deodorant and toothbrush. I slept on the fold out bed and left the next morning around 4 AM while he slept.
It rained all day yesterday and last evening and I came home to get caught up on sleep and housework (and 43 things). I hope to drive up to the hospital around noon today. 2 weeks ago

I mean like has he refused to do something you have specifically asked him to do at work or has he threatened to break your arm after work or plays keep away with your I’M THE BOSS plaque for your desk?
If these things aren’t happening, then there may not be any real problems other then your worrying about it. Your brother probably realizes you are doing a good job otherwise he might be making wisecracks or belittling you outside the workplace. If he was working there when you were offered the position, your aunt may have already spoken to him about hiring you. It is obvious she felt you were better qualified for the position then him or she would have offered it to your brother rather then hire you. 2 weeks ago

It isn’t the style of shirt but how one wears it. If you’re wearing a V-neck and are gay, everyone will know it if you tell them. If you’re wearing a V-neck and are not gay, then everyone should assume you are not without you telling them. 2 weeks ago

It seemed everything around me was pink. It became a color I intensely disliked because everyone thought naturally I’d like it because I was a girl. So I picked my own color which was yellow as a kid. As a teen, I favored blues often the more vibrant or deep the better. I think after some 3o years my favorite color is green. I particularly love the sage green I painted my kitchen. 2 weeks ago

There were leftovers and my husband decided the next night we ought to finish them off. I heated them in the microwave which doesn’t make them the most unusual thing I’ve ever done in a microwave but afterward I discovered 2 spoons, including the one I brought to the dinner which had come up missing had slipped in the dish under the food. 2 weeks ago

and to everyone who has sent us hugs and prayers. 2 weeks ago

A lot has happened in the last week. My husband George got moved to an acute long care hospital for wound treatment last Wednesday then the infection that had been plaguing him returned and he had to be moved back to the ICU at university hospital on Saturday. I was at work on Saturday when I got a call from his physician telling me they were transferring George. I left work abruptly at the end of my shift and drove to Columbia to see him. He had a fever but other then that was doing quite well. After seeing George, I was told by one of his doctors that George wasn’t receiving the level of care he required for his particular wound and left it at that. George told me the place was understaffed and the ratio of RNs to patients was at least 1:6 and he only saw his RN once during the shifts. The rest of the time he was taken care of by nurse techs who had little training and he thought his wound packing was performed by one of these techs rather then an RN or doctor at least once. Other then that he felt he actually received excellent care while there. One of the respiratory therapist who worked with him was employed at both hospitals and there was no difference or lessening of his breathing treatments at either place. In fact, the need for oxygen was diminished George no longer was struggling to breathe after any exertion. He was also eating again and no longer needed adult ensure in his diet.We were told upon his return to the university hospital that George would be going to a regular room in the oncology wing as soon as he was well enough to leave ICU. I stayed with George the two nights he was in the ICU before they moved him to what they called Progressive Care.
They moved him on Monday to his new room which was on the 5th floor and for the first time since he was hospitalized, George got a view of trees. I was amazed how spacious the room was after the cramped space of the ICU rooms. It was more then double the size with a bathroom and a sofabed for an overnight visitor with it own TV. The nurse explained this was the oncology ward and that these were some extras for the cancer patients who might be here longer then ordinary patients. I laughed and said if it wasn’t for gas prices, I could close up the house and move right in and drive back and forth to work everyday. I also mentioned caring for our cats and the nurse actually told me that pets that were bathed no more then 24 hours prior to visiting were allowed provided you had proof of current shots. I left Monday afternoon feeling good about it even though I left my lights on my car while it was parked and the battery was dead. I got someone to come out and jump it through my roadside service agreement on my auto insurance policy and only had to wait an hour even though it was a holiday.
George told me last night he was feeling much better and I plan to drive up to see him tonight after work if it isn’t raining. 2 weeks ago

I’ve had over 43 goals on this site at once. I don’t know how I did it. Currently, it says I have 8 goals but in reality, I have 28 goals. I also have gotten 2 cheers from the same person for a goal/post. 2 weeks ago

We were keeping our daughter’s mixed breed pit bull DeeDee for her when we moved and told her we couldn’t take care of her anymore. It was a heartbreaking decision because she is a really good dog. While our daughter looked for someone to adopt her, our neighbors who were cat enthusiasts (You have to be if you keep 7 indoor cats) helped her out by feeding DeeDee and taking her for walks right after we moved. Somehow, she crept into their hearts and they ended up adopting her and took over all her care and even had her spayed. I occasionally go visit her and she’s very happy and well cared for. 2 weeks ago

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Atlantic Ocean
3. Artic Ocean
4. Indian Ocean
5. Southern Ocean

Name 5 sitcoms that featured MaryTyler Moore in their regular cast. 3 weeks ago

I was at work Wednesday morning when my brother-in-law Bill began texting me. He had driven to Columbia to see George and wanted to know if I was coming to visit later that day. I texted back that I would likely coming after work as I had skipped coming the evening before. At this time I told Bill that they planned to move George later this week to an acute long term hospital because of his wound packing and IV medicine. I told Bill to ask George if he understood because he seemed very confused at times and couldn’t remember the previous day. I guess that Bill asked the nursing staff about it and was informed that if the wound packing was performed early enough that day George could be moved Wednesday afternoon. Obviously, the social worker neglected to inform me of this the previous day on the phone when she said George would be discharged Thursday or Friday. Bill seemed to be the first person to understand and not really question the need for George to get moved to this hospital and not sent home or to a nursing home. His first wife had spent time in such a facility after she had surgery for esophageal cancer (she never smoked a day in her life) and required wound packing.
I called the social worker and left a message. She didn’t call me back but called the nursing station around 2:30 like she did before. No one could get a hold of me (I wasn’t wearing a radio) and my supervisor took the message for me to call back ASAP. I did manage to call her back and she informed me that the doctor had given the clearance to move George providing the packing could be done by 4 PM. I was given the go ahead to leave as soon as I got my tasks done so I could meet them down there and sign anything on George’s behalf if he wasn’t able.
On my way to Columbia, I received another phone call letting me know I should just meet George at the other hospital. It was easy to find. I got there just about 4:30 and was told they hadn’t left the University hospital just yet but were expected within the next hour and I should probably go shopping or whatever because it would also take time to get
George settled in before I could see him. It was almost 6 PM before I was allowed to go to his room. He was alert but tired and a bit uncomfortable because of the trip. I ended up staying with him until after 9 that evening and didn’t get home until close to 11. I drove back the next evening to see him and ended staying late again. Last night, I had to pay the piper and stay late at work. George understood but was disappointed until I told him I had to work today as well because of the holiday. I intend to go after work and may even stay the night. 3 weeks ago

The ability to deactivate our accounts here like on Facebook which also means you can reactivate at a later time. 3 weeks ago

You sound very mature and realistic about all this. It cant be easy to undertake finding your father knowing how the rest of your siblings and your mother were treated by him. I wish you much happiness in your future regardless whether you find your father and if it is a happy meeting or not. 3 weeks ago

My husband is still in the ICU as of this date but they plan to move him Tomorrow or Friday to an acute long term care hospital a few miles from where he is now. I guess I wasn’t processing what I was being told earlier. I was thinking he would be transferred to a skilled nursing facility AKA nursing home temporarily before coming home. His case worker had be trying to contact me now for several days (or so she claims) about setting up the discharge plan from the ICU. Funny, I tried unsuccessfully to call her last week a couple times when I came up and just missed her visits to my husband. I guess she is one of those people with bankers’ hours. Once it sank in that George wasn’t coming home at the end of the week, I aggressively pursued her leaving 3-4 voicemails when calling her. She would call back only to have my phone go to voice mail because I couldn’t here it on the production floor. Finally, at the suggestion of our company nurse, I called and left her number and asked the case worker to call it and she would call me on the radio to come and take the call there. It worked and we finally spoke on the phone. She explained that due to the daily packing of his wound and the continuation of being on IV pain medication, George needed to continue to be under a doctor’s care which a regular nursing home cannot provide. I didn’t have to send him to this particular facility as there are others in the state but this was the closest to where we live. There is one in KC, St. Louis and Springfield. She also mentioned that the one here was only a couple years old.
So this is it for now. I called George yesterday evening rather then drive to Columbia as I worked late and had visited the evening before. I shared with him my experience on the road during Monday’s storms and flat tire on his car during the drive home. I was lucky in that it occurred after we left the storm front and was no longer raining. I went to Walmart after work and got a replacement at a reduced cost as he had purchased roadside hazard on the tires just the year before. I spent the money I saved on a gift card for our grandson and hope to mail it today. His birthday was the 19th and I felt bad I forgot it. 3 weeks ago

Do you
think Obamacare will be a good thing for our contry and be reshaped and improved as time goes on? Only time will tell.

have a handful of favorite tv shows to recommend? WHat are they?
The Big Bang Theory
Criminal Minds
NCIS
Hannibal
The Americans

the effort to investigate the circumstances behind the death of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya should continue instead of a return to focusing on legislation by Congress?
I think both can be done at the same time. Those who feel that we have to hold up the rest of Obama’s term in office investigating Beghazigate are just looking to impeach Obama and disgrace the liberal agenda and those who want to pretend it never happened at all and swipe it under a rug are the Liberal Agenda. Somebody is guilty and needs to be held accountable.

have a spring garden? Any favorites in bloom now? Nothing planted this Spring. I have asparagus and rhubarb coming up and my strawberry plants are blooming.

have a favorite pro sports team? Are they having/did they have a good year? NO

feel relieved to see the U.S. economy grwoing stronger? With the exception of gas prices.

think there will ever be a peaceful end to the violent conflicts in Israel/Palestine, as there apparently has been in Northern Ireland? Only when there is no one left to fight.

spend some time each week trying to create art? If so, what kind of art? Mostly sidewalk chalk art.

get caught up on sleep on the weekends or tend to stay out late partying or stay up watching TV? I did manage to sleep in last Sunday.

think the firearms laws in your country are reasonable and effective at decreasing shootings? It appears that the more stricter the laws the more violence involving firearms. The norm here is to assume everyone and every household has guns. To admit one doesn’t own a firearm or doesn’t hunt is like telling everyone else you are a felon or an animal rights activist. And gun violence is fairly low around here in small towns where all those gun toting people live.

hope the spring lingers into July? Yes except granddaughter wants to go swimming and I’m already tired of mowing with all the rain we are having right now.4 weeks ago

unlike Facebook where everyone goes. 4 weeks ago

and (((hugs))) for you and your daughter. I hope that her condition improves and there will be a medical break thru that can help her so that these seizures are a thing of the past. 4 weeks ago

My husband is still recovering and in the ICU. Although it has been slow, progress is finally being made. I still worry that there could be more setbacks as in one step forward, two steps back.
Yesterday when I went to see him, his condition had much improved. He is still on oxygen but much less medicated then he had been in days since his last surgery. He was more alert and lucid and complaining which I took as a good sign. I stayed with him until he fell asleep and didn’t make it home until way after 10 last night. 4 weeks ago

It is wonderful and saves time to cook with a pressure cooker. Although, we are not likely to have the garden this year as in the past, I look forward to having fresh green beans cooked in my pressure cooker each year. 4 weeks ago

There are many of your country men and women who feel as strongly about dogs as you do and that accounts for there being so little strays and shelter dogs available. That is something to be proud of if so. 4 weeks ago

I was always told you should wash your hands in warm water and the warmer the better as long as it is below 120 F. The thing about the automatic faucets is that the water is generally cold or just tepid, a weak stream which doesn’t rinse well. The automatic toilet often flushes without warning. I’m always afraid I’ll drop something accidently and whoosh!!!! it be gone. When all the automation, one might think that they used air dryers to save a few trees. At work they installed automatic hand dryers in at least one of the employee bathrooms and they really work well. They are made by Dyson. 4 weeks ago

During the last several weeks I’ve really started hating automated restrooms, particularly the public restrooms in the hospital my husband is in. Not only do the toilets automatically flush, but the faucets on the sinks are motion detecting.
So I manage to get my hands wet, soap them up then try to rinse off only to have the water stop whenever I actually put my hands under the faucet to get the most direct flow. I know you are suppose to be able to say your abcs or sing the Happy Birthday song twice in order to thoroughly wash your hands. I think I could recite the Gettysburg Address in the time it takes to rinse all the soap off. Then, of course, the towel dispenser is also automatic. It makes me wonder what would happen during a power outage. I’m just glad they haven’t come up with an automatic butt wiper yet. 4 weeks ago

as opposed to unhappy or discontent? Although there may be subtle differences between the former, what happens when things arise that upset you?
I’m neither right now. I’m at an impasse where I am not in control of my situation and am dependent on the action of others and the lord for my future happiness or contentment. However the outcome, I’ll have to deal with it. 4 weeks ago